Orbiter Miniature Aerial vehicleAeronautics Defense Systems

Orbiter Micro UAV
is under development at Aeronautics Defense Systems in Israel.
With a maximum takeoff weight of 6.5 kg the flying-wing shaped
Orbiter can carry a payload of 1.2kg weight at an altitude of up to 10,000 feet,
flying a mission of up to 90 minutes at 500 – 2,000 feet above
ground level. Orbiter is designed for simple and easy operation by
a single operator. It is autonomous throughout its mission
including during launch and recovery, and therefore requires
minimal training for operation or support.

Orbiter
is equipped with an electro-optical color
payload, fitted
with CCD sensor with x10 optical zoom for daylight operations. An
optional nigh sensor uses low-light level camera. The weight
of the D-STAMP daylight payload is 650 gr. A night capable payload is
also in development - it will weigh 0.98 kg.

With a low
acoustic signature,
Orbiter is optimized for silent operation even at very low level.
Equipped with an advanced avionic package, GPS and inertial
navigation system (INS) and datalink system, Orbiter provides
real-time transmission of imagery from up to 15 km. The Orbiter
length is 1 meter and its span is 2.2 meters.

January 2010: After the Russian military has ordered Israeli drones last year, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) is negotiating with Israel for the sale of another short-range UAV system - the Orbiter electrically powered miniUAV. The systems are produced by Aeronautics Defense Systems and are currently operated with a number of military forces, including the Polish, Irish, Serbian and Azerbaijan armies and the Mexican police. The value of the current program has not been published. The UAVs are required to enhance the control and security along the Russian the southern border in the Caucasus.